The Top Five Mistakes Leaders Make
Are you making one of these?
With kudos to David Letterman for his history of unveiling information in a user-friendly top 10 format, here are five mistakes commonly made by leaders everywhere. Are these issues you struggle with also? If so, a life leadership coach may be the start of a transformative process in your life and career. In no particular order of importance, they are:
5. Not trusting your inner voice when the going gets tough.
You were selected for leadership based on your judgment, decision-making, and vision. Once you have reached this pinnacle of success, you may have found yourself doubting your decisions based on negative feedback from employees. As these experiences unfold, learn to have as much faith in yourself as others had to place you in that position. Remember to arm yourself with all the knowledge available, and then have confidence in the fact that your inner voice was prized enough to land you in this position of authority. Own your decisions, keep up the positive self-talk, and stand tall.
4. Worrying too much about what others think
A large part of your job is making decisions. Decisions are seldom popular with everyone. A very wise person once said, “No one really knows all the confidential factors that went into your decision. You, as a leader, must be all right with people disagreeing with you partially because they don’t understand these unknown factors.” With upper level leadership comes confidentiality issues that prohibit your sharing all you know. When this happens, remember, you are building a strong work muscle and thick skin! The people disagreeing have no idea what constituted your decision because you cannot share that information. Learn to live with disagreement without taking it personally.
3. Focusing on the wrong thing
Once you have made a decision, leave that issue and determine where your next focus will be. Tossing about whether your decision was right or wrong, staying stuck in that moment—these things can qualify as languishing and are hard on your mental and physical health. Keep your eyes on the prize (you have defined the prize, haven’t you?) by developing a vision board, creating a strategic, SMART plan, and refusing to be distracted from it. At the end of your day, week, month, and year…you’ll thank yourself.
2. Letting others “Make Your Day”
Only Clint Eastwood should be authorizing others to “Make My Day!” A leader must make a to-do list for his or her day and have some non-negotiables on that list. Otherwise, the employee knocks on the door and the most recent crisis will become your day. At the end of your work time, ask yourself if you created your day or it was “made by others.” Successful, fulfilled leaders can mark some items off their list that THEY created. EVERY day.
1. Lacking balance in work/personal life continuum
We are people that were built for connection. As leaders, we connect with people constantly—but in a carefully crafted, professional way. Consider whether, in your own life, there is a way and means for a person or group of people to really SEE you—sometimes, warts, challenges and all. A life and leadership coach can help you clarify your strengths, purpose, and what your next move should be in either the work of professional domain. The confidentiality, knowledge and experience of a professional coach can make all the difference. For more information, contact denise@lifeleadershipcoaching.com or check out the “services” tab of this website.
